Quick Links

Four Ways to Fight Sinus Infections

It’s the merriest time of the year — except for those tiptoeing sinus infections. The colder months mean more colds and allergies, which in turn makes your nasal passages swell. When your nasal passages are enflamed, it traps mucus and allows bacteria to fester.

How do you know if you have a sinus infection? When you feel pressure around your forehead, nose, and eyes or you begin to see green, yellow, or white mucus when you blow your nose — an infection has most likely set in.

Fight the Infection

Showers. According to Mayo Clinic ENT doctor, Dr. Patrick Shinners, inhaling steam in a hot shower will open up your sinuses and release snot trapped inside.

Humidifier. Breathing humid air will help prevent the buildup of thick, dried gunk in your nose that allows bacteria to thrive, says Jeffrey Terrell, M.D, a Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of Michigan.

Thin the Mucus. Drinking six to eight glasses of water every day can thin the mucus and allow you to breathe a deep sigh of relief.

Rest Your Head. Resting your pulsating head on a desk or table could help clear symptoms, according to Chinese research. Twice a day for 20 minutes, study participants leaned forward in a chair, placing their heads on a flat surface. After 6 weeks, they had less congestion, sinus pressure, and postnasal drip than sinus infection sufferers who didn’t take the breaks.

The information on this site is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a licensed medical practitioner. If you are experiencing a serious medical condition call your local emergency services or your doctor.